Corey Ledet and His Zydeco Band | photo by Hope Helmuth | http://www.hopehelmuth.com/

Last weekend wrapped up XPN’s year-long Zydeco Crossroads project with two days of Southwest Louisiana fun. World Cafe Live got a heavy dose of the traditional Creole culture with performances by Corey Ledet and His Zydeco Band, Wayne Singleton and Same Ol’ Two Step, Rosie Ledet, Ruben Moreno and Keith Frank, along with the Philadelphia premiere of Zydeco Crossroads: A Tale of Two Cities and a fascinating panel discussion on the future of zydeco and its place in Americana.

On Friday, October 23rd at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, WXPN held the first of a two night grand finale concert to close out the year-long Zydeco Crossroads project. The project, archived at the Zydeco Crossroads web site, was a celebration of Zydeco music with a series of live concerts, dances, the making of a documentary by director and producer Robert Mugge, radio specials, essays, and interviews and with artists. Continue reading →

If you missed Zydeco Crossroads last night at World Cafe Live, you have another chance to catch it tonight! The festivities – which celebrate Creole music, Cajun food, and Zydeco dancing – will begin this afternoon with a film screening of Zydeco Crossroads: A Tale of Two Cities by filmmaker Robert Mugge, which will be followed by a panel discussion upstairs. Then after dinner, the entertainment will resume with music from Corey Ledet and His Zydeco Band, Wayne Singleton and Same Ol 2 Step, and Rosie Ledet. You won’t want to miss out on this night! Get tickets and information at the XPN Concert Calendar. Check out Corey Ledet and His Zydeco Band perform “Boudin Man” for KRVS below. Continue reading →

Cannibal Ox will be capping off their Blade of Ronin fall tour with a show in Philly tonight at Johnny Brenda’s. The Harlem hip-hop duo released their sophomore album, Blade of Ronin, this past March. This year alone, the duo has played at SXSW, toured the UK, and has toured all of North America. You won’t want to miss them tonight. Watch their music video for “Harlem Nights” and get tickets and show info at the XPN Concert Calendar. Continue reading →

Canadian art-rockers July Talk will make a return visit to Philly tonight, headlining a show Boot and Saddle. An acclaimed band in the Toronto scene since they formed in 2012, the band released its self-titled debut LP in 2013, which is finally getting its U.S. release this March via Island Records. The meeting of co-frontpersons Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay blend the aggressive and the ethereal into catchy rock and roll, a catchy blend that cuts through particularly strongly on “Guns and Ammunition.” Check out the music video for that song below and get tickets and information on the show at the XPN Concert Calendar. Continue reading →

The weekend’s Mardi Gras celebrations continue tonight with Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble at 7165 Lounge in Germantown. The band helped to kick-off XPN’s Zydeco Crossroads project earlier this year at the Kimmel Center, introducing Philadelphia to the high energy dance music of Southwest Louisiana. Listen back to that performance below and get more information about tonight’s show on the Zydeco Crossroads website here.

WXPN recently launched it’s year long Zydeco Crossroads project, highlighting the traditions and future of zydeco music and the culture surrounding it. Over the course of next year, there will be a series of live concerts and dance parties. The first show is on Saturday, December 6th, when Zydeco Crossroads and Allon Danser presnt Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble to District N9NE (formerly the Starlight Ballroom), complete with dance lessons from Lake Charles, Louisiana’s Harold Guillory. Continue reading →

About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH

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About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH